Who Is Jim Broadbent Playing in Game of Thrones Season 7?

Jim Broadbent, who has delighted audiences in the Harry Potter franchise and Moulin Rouge!—and snagged an Oscar opposite Judi Dench in Iris—has joined the cast of Game of Thrones.

Entertainment Weekly broke the news, and has very few details to add other than to call the part “significant.” From that, we can conclude that Broadbent will have a bigger part than the one-and-done role Ian McShane played last year. As the HBO series moves further and further off-book, it becomes increasingly difficult to predict which role an actor might be hired for. And, according to Entertainment Weekly, we should also take casting-call rumors with a grain of salt—because “oftentimes such character rundowns sent to casting agents are deliberately deceptive because producers assume they will find their way online.” But Game of Thrones news site Watchers on the Wall has been astonishingly accurate with casting news; one such listing for a “a gruff ex-soldier who found religion” last year enabled fans to figure out McShane’s Season 6 mystery role.

So what does Watchers on the Wall have to say about Season 7 possibilities? Well, go ahead and get that grain of salt if you want, but here are some intriguing possibilities for Broadbent (age 67):

General: “In the age range 40 to 55. He’s a senior military officer, and they’re looking for a white actor who uses the British RP accent. The actor is needed for the week of September 6th.”

Priest: “In his 60s. He’s a venerable priest with moral authority and gravitas. The show is seeking a white actor, using an RP accent, with characterful face for this part. He’s scheduled to shoot one week, from September 22nd.”

Merchant: “In his 40s. The merchant appears at an inn during a busy evening. They’re seeking a character actor, for a non-combatant role. His appearance is more open, including ethnicity/race. That suggests a character appearing somewhere in Essos- or a place we’ve never been before, since Daenerys is now on the move. This part is scheduled to shoot the first week of November.”

Bear in mind that McShane—who is 73—wound up playing the part that was originally pitched for someone “in his 40s or 50s.” Still, of all these options (which are by no means comprehensive or confirmed), the priest with a “characterful face” seems the likeliest fit. Book fans are hoping that this “priest” description is phrased to throw people off the scent, and that the role is actually Maester Marwyn, a character who features in not only Samwell’s adventures at the Citadel, but also potentially intersects with Daenerys’s plot. That part sounds fairly “significant,” no? And because he would have plenty of exposition to deliver, it would also be a job fit for an actor with Broadbent’s talents.

But it’s all a fun guessing game at this point; those of us who like unraveling a good mystery can keep hunting down clues during the long months until Season 7 premieres.

From Victims to Victors: The Women of ​Game of Thrones​’ Style Transformations

Sansa Stark—Sophie Turner

When we first met Sansa in Season 1, the talented little seamstress was dead-set on dressing like the Southern ladies of Westeros. But after several transformations—including her dramatic dark look at the Eyrie—Sansa has reconnected with her Northern roots. Dressing more like her mother, Catelyn, last season and wearing her handmade direwolf dress with pride this year, Sansa is neither Lady Bolton nor Lady Lannister. She’s pure Stark.

Photo: Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Margaery Tyrell—Natalie Dormer

When Margaery first arrived on the scene in King’s Landing, she was famous for plunging gowns with copious cutouts that betrayed her upbringing in Highgarden—one of the sunniest places in Westeros. She then adopted some slightly more regal attire, including a pair of stunning wedding dresses, when she married first Joffrey and then his brother, Tommen. But, sadly, Margaery did not go out in a blaze of fashion-forward glory. Still wearing demure threads meant to impress the High Sparrow, Margaery died in a turtlenecked gown. The indignity!

Photo: Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Daenerys Targaryen—Emilia Clark

The first time we meet Daenerys in Season 1, she’s being forced to wear a floaty purple dress her brother Viserys picked out in order to sell her to Khal Drogo. We’ve seen the character go through a number of transitions since, from the green and brown leathers of the Dothraki to her Breaker-of-Chains-in-Blue period. Now the Dragon Queen is back in blue for her sea voyage to Westeros, this time with a regal caped dress—as if to announce her intention to immediately ascend the Iron Throne.

Photo: Courtesy of HBO.

Cersei Lannister—Lena Headey

Some seriously questionable Season 1 hair decisions aside, Cersei Lannister’s look was pretty consistent over the first five years of Game of Thrones: flowing blond curls, red and gold robes, and a sneer that would put ice in your veins. But in Season 6, rocking a dramatic new pixie cut thanks to the Sparrows, Cersei adopted a more severe, masculine look. Opting for darker colors, including a dramatic black gown for her coronation, Cersei, like Sansa and Jon, took on her own father’s look. And we all know how things turned out for him.

Photo: Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Arya Stark—Maisie Williams

The little tomboy was never one for dresses or keeping herself clean—but after wearing the same grungy brown outfit for several seasons, actress Maisie Williams was relieved to have a change. When she hit Braavos in Season 5, Williams asked designer Michele Clapton if she could burn her old costume. Now that she can swap faces, Arya may be wearing many new looks in the seasons to come as she disguises herself during her Westerosi murder spree.

Photo: Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Brienne of Tarth—Gwendoline Christie

The lady warrior isn’t too fond of changing up her look, but we shouldn’t forget that she got a major upgrade to her armor between Seasons 2 and 6. A gift from her traveling companion, Jaime Lannister, her shiny new suit of armor is the ultimate symbol of his regard. “The best way to do that is to give her something he would like,” Clapton said. “Jaime isn't a particularly creative person, so the armor is quite functional.” The armor and sword, with its Lannister associations, keep getting Brienne into trouble—but how could she ever ditch such a thoughtful gift?

Photo: Both from Photofest.

Missandei—Nathalie Emmanuel

Daenerys first met Missandei back in Astapor, where long, flowing robes and a slave-esque collar seemed to be her wardrobe of choice. But after years working with Daenerys, Missandei has ditched the color and the robes in exchange for a hardcore leather top and pleated skirt combination. (In one strange fashion misstep this season, the translator appeared to be wearing flared plaid pants. We’ll blame the Meereenese heat for that decision.) Missandei is quite fond of a bare midriff (we would be too, with those abs) and even wore her revealing leather ensemble on the open water.

Photo: Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Sansa Stark—Sophie Turner

When we first met Sansa in Season 1, the talented little seamstress was dead-set on dressing like the Southern ladies of Westeros. But after several transformations—including her dramatic dark look at the Eyrie—Sansa has reconnected with her Northern roots. Dressing more like her mother, Catelyn, last season and wearing her handmade direwolf dress with pride this year, Sansa is neither Lady Bolton nor Lady Lannister. She’s pure Stark.

Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Margaery Tyrell—Natalie Dormer

When Margaery first arrived on the scene in King’s Landing, she was famous for plunging gowns with copious cutouts that betrayed her upbringing in Highgarden—one of the sunniest places in Westeros. She then adopted some slightly more regal attire, including a pair of stunning wedding dresses, when she married first Joffrey and then his brother, Tommen. But, sadly, Margaery did not go out in a blaze of fashion-forward glory. Still wearing demure threads meant to impress the High Sparrow, Margaery died in a turtlenecked gown. The indignity!

Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Daenerys Targaryen—Emilia Clark

The first time we meet Daenerys in Season 1, she’s being forced to wear a floaty purple dress her brother Viserys picked out in order to sell her to Khal Drogo. We’ve seen the character go through a number of transitions since, from the green and brown leathers of the Dothraki to her Breaker-of-Chains-in-Blue period. Now the Dragon Queen is back in blue for her sea voyage to Westeros, this time with a regal caped dress—as if to announce her intention to immediately ascend the Iron Throne.

Courtesy of HBO.

Cersei Lannister—Lena Headey

Some seriously questionable Season 1 hair decisions aside, Cersei Lannister’s look was pretty consistent over the first five years of Game of Thrones: flowing blond curls, red and gold robes, and a sneer that would put ice in your veins. But in Season 6, rocking a dramatic new pixie cut thanks to the Sparrows, Cersei adopted a more severe, masculine look. Opting for darker colors, including a dramatic black gown for her coronation, Cersei, like Sansa and Jon, took on her own father’s look. And we all know how things turned out for him.

Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Arya Stark—Maisie Williams

The little tomboy was never one for dresses or keeping herself clean—but after wearing the same grungy brown outfit for several seasons, actress Maisie Williams was relieved to have a change. When she hit Braavos in Season 5, Williams asked designer Michele Clapton if she could burn her old costume. Now that she can swap faces, Arya may be wearing many new looks in the seasons to come as she disguises herself during her Westerosi murder spree.

Left, from Photofest; right, Courtesy of HBO.

Brienne of Tarth—Gwendoline Christie

The lady warrior isn’t too fond of changing up her look, but we shouldn’t forget that she got a major upgrade to her armor between Seasons 2 and 6. A gift from her traveling companion, Jaime Lannister, her shiny new suit of armor is the ultimate symbol of his regard. “The best way to do that is to give her something he would like,” Clapton said. “Jaime isn't a particularly creative person, so the armor is quite functional.” The armor and sword, with its Lannister associations, keep getting Brienne into trouble—but how could she ever ditch such a thoughtful gift?

Both from Photofest.

Missandei—Nathalie Emmanuel

Daenerys first met Missandei back in Astapor, where long, flowing robes and a slave-esque collar seemed to be her wardrobe of choice. But after years working with Daenerys, Missandei has ditched the color and the robes in exchange for a hardcore leather top and pleated skirt combination. (In one strange fashion misstep this season, the translator appeared to be wearing flared plaid pants. We’ll blame the Meereenese heat for that decision.) Missandei is quite fond of a bare midriff (we would be too, with those abs) and even wore her revealing leather ensemble on the open water.